“Alderweireld was the best available central defender on the market this summer and they didn’t buy him either. Why not?

“Those are two players who have proven to be two of the best defenders in the Premier League but Manchester United didn’t take advantage.

“I can understand why Manchester United didn’t want to pay huge money for Harry Maguire because he isn’t at that level.”

Mourinho’s belief that he needed to bring in new defenders was highlighted no more than in the 3-2 defeat to Brighton at the weekend.

Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly were both criticised for their display with Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville suggesting that United have ‘no chance’ of winning the Premier League title with the defence that they have.